Whole Lotta Rosen — Everything’s coming up Rosen at UCLA, as True Freshman Phenom QB Josh Rosen makes a successful Rose(n) Bowl debut in UCLA’s Spring Showcase
Saturday morning marked the first day of the Post-Hundley Era for UCLA Football, and it just may be a smooth transition to another era marked by a Superstar signal caller. True Freshman Quarterback Josh Rosen impressed Coaches and fans alike, with his talent, and poise uncommon for a newbie.
Rosen was actually the third Quarterback to take the reins of the Bruin Offense on Saturday, AFTER Jerry Neuheisel and Asiantii Woulard, but Rosen is the one getting all the buzz. Neuheisel looked just fine in his time, and Woulard looked sharp as well, much improved from earlier reports. But when Rosen took over, the Offense seemed to be more crisp, with Rosen showing uncanny composure and knowledge of the Offense. His calm confidence bodes well for his potential leadership role on this team.
It seemed like Woulard has grasped the Offensive schemes as well, but when he was in, there was a certain franticness, as he was gesturing urgently before the snaps to get everyone where they needed to be. Rosen on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the hurry-up nature of the Offense, and always looked like he knew exactly what to do to make the plays work.
One thing Woulard and Rosen have in common is the HEAT they put on the ball when throwing to intermediate targets. They both rifled the balls to their receivers on button hooks and other approximately 10-yard patterns, getting the ball to their targets before the Defense could react. Rosen especially showed accuracy and a high completion percentage, on short and medium tosses. The long ball was another story. While each QB hit a few targets on long balls, there were also several that were way off-target, and some hit defenders’ hands instead of the receivers. And this was all while the Defense was not blitzing, and was barely tackling. Also, Rosen seemed to lose his edge toward the end of practice, missing on a couple of easy short passes to Backs. Maybe he got tired, or lost focus after such a dramatic, nerve-wracking, and successful start.
You can’t really draw too many conclusions from this Showcase, which was in no way a scrimmage or a game. It was just a glorified PRACTICE, with the whistles being blown before most tackles could be made. Coach Mora was so insistent on it NOT appearing to be a “game,” that he BANNED the Cheerleaders from performing or cheering on the sidelines during the game. Booooo! I love Coach Mora, but this is one decision that I can just not abide. Luckily for me (and you), the Cheerleaders (about half the Spirit Squad) were in attendance at the entrance gate before the Showcase, doing a fan meet n’ greet, and posing for photographs (thank goodness). There is some talk that by not classifying it as a “game,” UCLA can invite recruits to attend. If this is true, then I accept Mora’s decision as a wise one. But I still miss the Cheering and Dance Performances!
Getting back to the Practice… The highlight of the day came during a drill, when All-Everything Linebacker Myles Jack made a leaping one-handed Interception. Another Defensive highlight came when D-Back Adarius Pickett snagged a long pass, and returned it for a Pick(ett) Six.
On Offense, besides Rosen’s exploits, Tight End Thomas Duarte made some impressive catches, including at least one climbing the ladder in the end zone. Wide Receiver Jordan Lasley got targeted a lot, and made one circus catch right after dropping a TD that was right in his hands after he bobbled it. Reserve Wideouts Logan Sweet and Tyler Scott had good games, but they did that last Spring too, then weren’t huge factors during the season. Finally, it’s hard to say anything about the three leading rushers, as Paul Perkins, Nates Starks, and Craig Lee all seemed to find big holes and burst into the secondary, but the Defense didn’t seem to be going all out, and the refs blew the whistle right after the runners got into the secondary. One positive from this lack of contact: No major injuries have been reported this Spring. Speaking of reports, some people have stated that third string RB Lee has looked like the fastest of the rotation. I couldn’t tell, but I trust the observations made by these other reporters.
I can’t make too many in-depth, analytical comments, since I was watching everything through a camera lens, and there was no announcer to confirm what I think I saw. I couldn’t always see jersey numbers, and I did not see a replay on TV. But it’s okay, because it’s APRIL, and you shouldn’t draw any conclusions from what happens in the Spring anyway. The way Mora recruits, the Fall could bring some impact Freshmen that might change the roster considerably.
Speaking of changing rosters, this might have marked the final Rose Bowl Appearance for some of the Spirit Squad, with auditions for next season coming up next week. So good luck to anyone who is attempting to return. Please enjoy — and savor — the Cheer photos that follow the photos of the game action and player close-ups that I took during the autograph session. And it should be noted that all the Cheerleaders were super-nice and so fun to converse with… and, all the players were cordial and fun-loving and very accommodating to the throngs of demanding fans, many of whom are just trying to get stuff to sell on eBay. But my point is that Mora and staff are doing a great job of recruiting high-character, personable, intelligent players, and grooming them to behave in a professional, fan-friendly manner… and I truly appreciate it.
Here are 64 photos from the event.
- Josh Rosen in command
- Thomas Duarte for six
- Adarius Pickett with the Pick
- Chandler (in front) and McKenna
- Rosen’s Rifle
- Rosen on the Run
- Rosen up close and personal
- Rosen is ambidextrous???
- Wouldn’t that be something if he could throw with his left hand when he rolls left?
- Jerry Neuheisel would still win Mr. Congenialty, even if he doesn’t get the starting nod
- Asiantii Woulard is still very much in the running.
- Woulard is constantly improving, and will be ready by September
- He really puts some oomph on his medium throws
- …and he can run. The READ OPTION is still a part of the offense, and all three QB’s ran it on Saturday
- We saw a lot of great catches on Saturday
- … including several one-handed attempts
- …and some sure-handed grabs in the end zone, this one by Logan Sweet
- Looks like Devin Fuller with a spectacular diving attempt
- Nate Starks showing off some nifty moves
- Craig Lee flashing his vaunted speed
- Lee hits open field
- Close-up of Lee’s eyes (same shot as last one, just zoomed in)
- Myles Jack SWAG
- Jack’s teammates in awe after his one-handed INT
- Myles Jack CHARISMA
- Eddie Vanderdoes oozing personality
- Dwight Williams ready for a big year
- Kenny Young ready to dominate
- Ishmael Adams could be an All-American because of his returns
- Jaleel Wadood could be All-Conference because of his nose for the ball
- Ainuu Taua is definitely on the All-Hair Team
- Tahaan Goodman having fun this year
- Adarius Pickett liked my photo of his Interception!
- Nate Starks – sparks fly when he goes by
- Jordan Payton is Mr. Reliable, and is also a threat to score on every play
- …which opens things up for the explosive Mossi Johnson
- Thomas Duarte could easily lead the team in Receiving TD’s, since he’s such a great red zone target
- Jake Brendel anchors the best Offensive Line UCLA has had in a decade
- Simon Goines is happy to be back
- Elyse threw a great spiral during the pregame festivities (but I don’t know if she can run the Read Option)
- Courtney getting ready to toss Adidas t-shirts into the crowd
- Courtney has so much to smile about (It’s good to be Courtney!)
- Danielle, who was Sports Illustrated’s Cheerleader of the Month recently (and deservingly so)
- McKenna has also gotten some well-deserved exposure during her glorious college career
- Carley brings the spirit every time
- She’s been bubbly and fun since the day of her audition
- Jane, from the Miss Teen pageant right into our hearts
- Chandler, who seems to get prettier with every event
- Paula, sweet petite Paula, wrapping up a memorable career, and starting a new one… Hopefully she’ll stay close!
- Josslyn… jostlin’ for position on the list of all-time Cheer Squad beauties!
- Paula and Courtney — simply NATURALS with the little ones
- Sheree and Jane, so inviting, I’m shocked when the kids are shy (I was the opposite type of kid!)
- Gorgie Paula, puddin’ & pie — kiss the boys and make them cry? (Once again, I was the opposite type of little boy!)
- See Sheree. See Jane. See Jane high five this little Dickens
- Courtney — A woman is never taller than when she stoops to help someone else
- Are the Rams coming back to L.A.? Will they have their “Embraceable Ewes” Cheer Squad? I know some girls who could it worth attending their games, even if the team still sucks
UCLADal wrote,
Great job as usual T-H! Thanks for the pics and the write-up. Everything about the UCLA football program is light years of what it was pre CJM. Here’s to good times this fall! GO BRUINS!
| Link | April 26th, 2015 at 6:22 am
JP wrote,
TH, I know you won’t be a judge this year (unfortunately), but will u be there to document for us unlucky ones who can’t be there. This is National Signing Day for our vaunted and beloved Dance Team. Macall is a huge loss and we need to replace with someone who can equally captivate the nation.
[T-H’s Note: Yes, I plan to attend, and since I’m not a Judge this year, I will be bringing my camera.]
| Link | April 27th, 2015 at 10:59 pm